Arc Seven. Chapter One Hundred Eighty-One. Thunderbolts And Lightning

General Ross pushed the control stick of his wheelchair and it whirred as he, Banner, Blonsky, and Betty all made their way into an SUV for the drive over to Peter's warehouse. It had been repaired since the Hydra attack and the signs of fighting and bodies had long been cleaned up by the city.

"I don't see why I have to come," Blonsky complained and Ross just tutted,

"Because Colonel, if these damn kids renege on their promise then you have my permission to smash them," and Blonsky laughed

"You fuckin kiddin', right? After that woman fuc-" and as Ross shot him a look he was quiet, "fine fine, if they try anyfin' I'll smash 'em." and he was quiet for the rest of the drive over.

At the warehouse, there was a welcoming committee. While Felicia was still tied up with the Black Cats and had tentatively agreed to Emma's plan, Gwen, Liv, and Peter were all there. Wanda had headed back to Genosha to pack her things and Laura had headed back to the mansion. She had only said, "fixing things," before Logan turned up in his car and they left as well.

Knowing Ross's temperament, Liv had refused to meet him and was still fuming in her home, hoping the little party would be short and sweet. They would give the man whatever he wanted and then he would leave, no fighting, maybe a little arguing but nothing serious.

As the SUV drew up, the group stared anxiously as Ross, his daughter, Banner and finally Blonsky all exited, Bruce and Betty holding hands while Bloskey lifted Ross and his wheelchair straight out the vehicle.

"Let's get his over with shall we," and Ross powered his wheelchair straight at the group, ignoring them and heading into the warehouse. Peter shook his head, while Bruce and Betty both looked embarrassed enough for them all, and Blonsky just laughed,

"Yeah, he's still a dick 'ed," said a grinning Blonsky,

"I heard that Colonel," came a voice from in the warehouse,

Blonsky shrugged, "I'll at least be polite enough to wait for an invite, so can we? Parlay and all that?" and Peter laughed,

"Sure, not the first pirate I've had here, and Bruce, Betty, pleasure. Hope this goes well," and he stuck out a hand as he introduced himself. "Uh, This is Gwen, but Liv won't be here, well-" but Gwen pushed past him,

"Shh Pete. Dr Banner, I read your paper on the effects of gamma radiation on certain gene sequences," and as Peter and Betty's eyes met they made a connection, they both knew there would be no more from the pair as the talk of radiation effects and gene expression became central, and they walked and talked back into the warehouse,

"Uh, shall we then?" and Betty smiled and nodded,

"Yeah, dad will be fuming, he's not the most patient person," and she frowned and shrugged apologetically,

"Well, at least he won't try and arrest me will he?" and Betty bit her lip and looked hopeful he wouldn't,

Peter rolled his eyes and sighed, "well, let's get this over with then," and the final pair made their way inside.

Bruce and Gwen had disappeared into her home, while Blonsky was helping himself to coffee and opening and closing cupboards, "no tea? Damn yanks," but he still filled a mug, and opened a packet of cookies.

"If you mind Colonel, I'm not here for a social visit. I believe an agreement was made. One favour for each of us, and I'm calling them in. I want what you gave Shield. A team of Enhanced. Full works, those slime aliens as well, enough to outfit a unit, so ten men, I'll make an allowance, just ten will do." and Peter snorted,

"Ross, I believe the offer was for those who helped. So you, well, to be blunt, you get nothing. Blonsky, yes and I heard Betty protected a medivac, so you too and Bruce, well. I think it might be a while before we see either of them, so he can pick something after."

"Now listen here, after the first stunt you pulled you're lucky I don't have you arrested for assaulting a US General. I have-" but Peter raised his hand and the general was silent. He glared at Peter and rubbed his throat as he gave Betty a confused look,

"Yeah, I can do that." and while Ross glowered at him, Peter ignored him and stared angrily at him. "No, you listen. On what authority? Jurisdiction my ass. Want to pull that through court? Pierce is dead, Ross. So let's see just how much influence you really have, or want to test that too? See if it was you or Hydra giving orders. Pull that military bullshit again and I can have you court-martialed. You're lucky Wanda stopped Liv or she would have made you a smear on the sidewalk," and Ross glared at Peter.

"Glare all you want, you can speak when I say you can speak." Peter put a cup down in front of Betty, and begrudgingly one in front of Ross. "Now, Gwen is the formula expert but right now, Stark has the licence. If you want it, talk to him. As for symbiotes. They are sentient living things, not pets, not toys so no. The best you are going to get is a biogel that'll heal that wound in a few days, otherwise, nothing." and Blonsky snorted,

"You tell 'im, but uh, if that stuff ain't on the table, then what is?" and he dunked a cookie in his coffee and ate it.

Peter took a breath. "Well, without tests we have no idea what the Banner formula would have done to you. If Bruce used radiation then we really have no idea what damage it might have done. I mean, Liv or Gwen would be better to explain," and he looked over at Liv's home, who had watched Peter use his powers to silence Ross and had come out to gloat and was now sat glaring at Ross, with a small smirk on her face,

"Yes of course. From the fact you are larger than Hulk but more mutated, there might be a way to reverse the damage. I don't know what your gamma form is Miss Ross but it might be the same. Really, we can perform tests and see if we can boost your powers, or rescue the side effects so you don't end up like Abomination"

"Oh, it's A-Bomb now, you know, cause of projecting a better image an' all that."

Liv half shrugged, "it does sound better but we may also be able to fix the cosmetic damage," but Blonsky shrugged,

"To be honest, just watchin Ross 'ere tryin' not to shit his insides out in anger at being shushed is fuckin brilliant. Made my day. I don't think I need anythin' else, oh no, wait," and he took out his cellphone and snapped a photo. "Now it's fuckin' perfect." and Ross just scowled and glared more.

"If you behave you can speak, but if the first words out of your mouth aren't an apology, then forget it." Peter poured coffee into his cup and Ross relaxed and rubbed his jaw.

"I was man enough to apologise to Bruce when I pursued him and I am man enough to apologise to Miss Octavious. I might have gone overboard. We were desperate to contain a gamma problem and in doing so I overstepped my authority." Ross leant back and stared at his cup as he spoke, clearly enunciating each word as if rehearsing a speech. "I apologise for any harm I may have caused you, and I apologise for my behaviour towards your little friend." and as he looked up he stared at Peter, "there. Happy?" and dumped six sugars into his cup.

Peter shrugged and looked over at Liv. "I will accept your apology General Ross, but you won't get one in return. You hurt Octave, and that is unforgivable. Now, you wanted me and Curt for your gamma project? I think with the fact that you and Miss Ross are both Hulks, and Mr Blonsky, there isn't much I can help with."

"It's not them, it's another. Samuel Sterns. He was irradiated in an accident and now he's hyper-intelligent, his powers aren't physical like ours. He's almost telepathic. In fact, Mr Parker, your whammy feels remarkably similar. I would appreciate it if you could maybe speak to him and if possible, remove his powers completely."

"And you went with a full team of super soldiers instead of getting rid of a hostile telepath?" and Ross shrugged,

"As long as we keep him in isolation, he's harmless. No visitors, no deliveries, maybe a few books but nothing electronic or sharp. Yes, I would have prefered soldiers. Soldiers are needed, especially after Hydra's little stunt but I take what I can get. Contrary to what Nick Fury has told you, I am not the monster everyone thinks I am." and even Betty coughed and turned her head, he could definitely kiss ass with the best of them.

"I'll take a look at Sterns, and uh, once Bruce and Gwen finish with their chat I'm sure he will have a request of his own."

"Yeah," Betty idled with her cup, spinning it slowly, "If Gwen is half the scientist Bruce thinks she is, they might be a while." and Peter raised an eyebrow.

Betty shrugged, sighing. "Since he found out about the Stacy formula, he hasn't shut up about her, I mean," and Peter laughed,

"Don't worry, Bruce is in safe hands," and Betty frowned,

"That's what I'm worried about," and she looked at her cup with a forlorn look on her face. Peter sighed,

"Give me a moment," and a few seconds later Gwen came out of her home with an excited Bruce in tow.

"Betty, she's great. I mean, it's great, the-" and Gwen cleared her throat.

"Uh, sorry honey. I mean, From a purely scientific point of view, Miss Stacy is a goldmine, I think she can help with the Hulk." and Gwen cleared her throat again,

Bruce now looked confused, "uh, I love you?" and Peter chuckled to himself, trying to hold back the laughter while Betty looked half-mad half-amused at his still social ineptness.

"Bruce, she means spending more time with her, and not talking about formula," and Bruce frowned but nodded,

"Sorry honey." and Betty patted his hand.

"Just this once though, okay?" and she nodded. "Good, I think I can dilute the power dampening effect of the Stacy formula to reduce or diffuse a gamma-powered Enhanced state. It won't be a cure, even Gwen think is that's impossible but uh," and Bruce looked over at Liv. "You're Olivia Octavious," and she nodded, as if that was the most obvious thing in the world, "no one said Olivia Octavious was here as well." As Bruce was about to start talking Betty squeezed his hand and after sharing a look he stopped and stared at his feet, "sorry."

"Well, we know what Bruce wants. I think I'll get Curt here as well, might as well get the group together. Betty, feel free to make yourself at home, there is a pool if you want to relax and just holler if you need anything. If Bruce gets his wish then you really-" but Ross shook his head,

"I want you to help, Mr Parker. If he does have mind powers then I want someone who can deal with them. Even sending someone in with an injection constitutes a risk I am unwilling to take. I won't compromise on that, even if Bruce does seem to be the winner here." but Betty was busy eyeing the pool house that Peter had built.

Peter shook his head as he chuckled softly, "there is a privacy curtain, so you don't have to worry. Bruce can have his meeting while you relax. He can use," and he coughed, "all the stuff we stole from Oscorp."

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that Mr Parker, if I get my way, of course. If Bruce refines his gamma formula I expect that it will stay in house, Bruce?" and Bruce shrugged,

"It would be a collaborative work, but uh, I guess?" and he, in turn, looked over at Liv and Gwen,

"I already got my fingers burned with your formula Dr Banner, as far as I'm concerned you can keep it." and Gwen nodded,

"We make more than enough from the Stacy formula, but if you publish I want co-credit," and Bruce nodded,

"Then we're in agreement. Blonsky, stop playing with your phone and get me back to base. I'll take that gel as well. Bruce, Betty are you staying or coming?" and while Bruce looked forlornly at Betty she shook her head,

"You can schedule your playdate later. Home," and Bruce's shoulders sagged,

"Yes, honey,"

As the small group finalised their plans, set dates and Peter sent a text to Curt, asking when he was free and if he wanted to collaborate as well, the buzzer for the door went. As Peter looked over his face paled, "uh, yeah, come in" and Gwen frowned,

"It's uh, Miss Munroe, from high school."